Before the exam |
- read the literature
- read the course book (or recommended sections)
- read the course notes
- learn terminology and definitions
- prepare 1 page summaries of each course topic
- revise course topics during the course (not the week/day/night before!) ;-)
- be able to give definitions in your own words
- to someone at your own technical level
- to someone with less technical knowledge
- in summary form
- in detailed form
- look at previous exam papers
- check the style of the exam questions
- descriptive (e.g. describe.../discuss...)
- factual (e.g. define.../name...)
- comparative (e.g. pros and cons of...)
- calculations (e.g. calculate...)
- demonstrative (e.g. prove that.../show that...)
- (pseudo)coding (e.g. write a function to...)
- check the most frequent exam topics
- work out a "game plan" for the exam
- look at the time available for the exam
- work out the time available for each question
- leave time at the beginning to read ALL questions
- leave time at the end for checking/corrections
- order the questions by difficulty
- do the easier ones first
- work out model answers to exam questions
- "grocery list" for facts and definitions
- fact/definition #1
- fact/definition #2
- ...
- fact/definition #n
- short discussion of above
- main points / summary + details
- heading 1
- heading 2
- ...
- heading n
- heading 1 + discussion (details)
- heading 2 + discussion (details)
- ...
- heading n + discussion (details)
- compare/contrast, pros & cons, advantages/disadvantages
- single topic A
advantages |
disadvantages |
#1 | #1 |
#2 | #2 |
etc. | etc. |
+ discussion |
- two topics A versus B
Topic |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
A | #1 | #1 |
| #2 | #2 |
| etc. | etc. |
B | #1 | #1 |
| #2 | #2 |
| etc. | etc. |
+ discussion |
- proofs/demonstrations
- use appropriate definitions/properties
- develop your argument stepwise
- state all assumptions
- USE PICTURES & DIAGRAMS
- well labelled pictures/diagrams are better
than lots of text
- use appropriate models to illustrate points
- choose a suitable model at a suitable level
of abstraction for the point you are making
- when in doubt give concrete examples
- examples help to clarify the point you are
making (both for yourself and the examiner)
- be clear, simple and concise
- do not try to use overly complicated language
- lists are easier to understand than long texts
- use a new paragraph to introduce each new point
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During the exam |
- at the start of the exam
- read all the questions at the start of the exam
- work out the time available for each question
- order the questions by difficulty
- do the easier ones first
- during the exam
- make sure that you answer the question ASKED!
- allow yourself short breaks (3/5 mins) to rest
- learn relaxation techniques (avslappning)
- meditation
- breathing exercises
- visualisation
- do the NEXT question when the available time is up
(be fairly strict about this - you can always use
time at the end of the exam for unfinished answers)
- take 5/10 minutes to sketch your answer if need be
then write down your full answer
- use pictures and diagrams (+ appropriate text)
- if you do not know the answer - apply "creative guesswork"
- at the end of the exam
- use time at the end for checking/corrections
- check all questions heve been answered
- check your pages (& extra pages) are in order
- mark clearly all continuation pages for each answer
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After the exam |
- plan a celebration or party with some friends
- accept that you did your best
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My Exam Philisophy |
- 50% of the questions are "easy"
- these depend on knowing definitions and
being able to express these clearly & concisely
- these involve the basic knowledge required
for the area being studied
- 25% of the questions are "some thought required"
- these require an awareness of how definitions
and properties are used and/or applied
- these require you to demonstrate practical
applications of theory
- 25% of the questions are "more thought required"
- these require you to show that you can synthesise
information from the course and apply knowledge
in new contexts
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